Hey there,

If you’re a Michigan fan this Thursday morning, congratulations. You still get to talk about your victory for a few more days before everyone starts getting really annoyed.

If you’re friends with any Michigan fans… We’re sorry. Don’t worry though — we’ve got updates on a whole lot more too, like whether Texas oil money dictates NIL success, or how an anonymous donor is revamping Indiana athletics. Oh, and we’ll also touch on why the greatest coach in college football history retired yesterday.

Comments? Concerns? Hit reply or send us an email at [email protected] to let us know.

— Cole, Justin and Collin

KICK-OFF

NIL Non-Profits win out in National Championship

Monday night’s national championship game contenders shared more than just an undefeated regular season record – they also benefitted from non-profit NIL collectives, entities which have proven to be controversial as of late.

Earlier in 2023, the IRS warned that NIL collectives could not remain tax exempt unless they prove their primary goal is to support charities, not pay players. That led to a few collectives – most notably Texas A&M’s 12th Man+ Fund – ceasing operations immediately.

But Michigan’s Hail! Impact and Washington’s Montlake Futures both managed to stay intact by adhering to the IRS’ guidelines. While many other collectives took a safer approach, the championship contenders remained aggressive in their NIL strategy, and it seems to have paid off. (More)

Did Nick Saban Retire because of NIL?

Nick Saban shocked the college football world when news broke of his retirement yesterday. The 72-year-old coach has been hailed by many as the greatest coach in the sport’s history.

There’s little clarity from Saban himself about why he decided to call it quits. Some are speculating he’s eyeing TV opportunities, while others think he’s simply fed up with NIL.

Regardless of why he decided to hang up his headset, the most attractive job in college football is officially open, and it has a rabid spending fanbase. (More)

When In Roman

Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson was a superstar before the college football playoffs kicked off, but after two dazzling performances to close the year – especially in the semi-final game against Alabama – he’s cashing in on his NIL brand. 

He went into the postseason with deals from brands like Crocs already in place, but it’s starting to look like those opportunities are just the beginning. Dave Portnoy, a huge Michigan fan and President of Barstool Sports, tweeted out a link to a custom hoodie that will benefit Wilson’s bottom line. (More)

WHAT’S TRENDING

Ups and Downs

• J.J. McCarthy saw a massive $222K valuation bump after the national championship game 📈

• Despite losing, Michael Penix Jr. also saw a huge jump, rising to the 12th largest valuation in NIL, regardless of sport 📈

• With rumors swirling about Jim Harbaugh leaving for the NFL, Michigan’s NIL infrastructure could take a huge hit 📉 

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Does Oil run NIL?

LSU’s reputation as an SEC juggernaut is well established. They had a Heisman winner again this year, less than five years after fielding what some call the greatest college football team ever. But despite the on-field success, some are questioning whether NIL itself is actually good for the Tigers.

“You’re competing against oil and gas guys,” said Gordon McKernan, whose law firm sponsors multiple LSU athletes, “There’s a few Texas schools that are well equipped just because their alumni base is ‘based in the ground…’ It doesn’t cost that much for them to play in that [NIL] area.” (More)

A Legal NIL Catch-Up

Sportico just ran a piece on where exactly the legal proceedings around amateurism have taken college sports in 2023. If you feel behind on the topic, it’s absolutely worth reading. 

It explains the ongoing legal battles being waged on the periphery of college sports – from Dartmouth’s unionization efforts, to the USC Employment petition. Don’t know what those are about? Good! Catch up by clicking the link. (More)

COLLECTIVE 101

How Michigan Monetized a Scandal

Earlier this season Michigan football got caught in a sign-stealing scandal that saw head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended for multiple games. Amidst the fallout from that scandal, however, the school actually saw an NIL bump.

The school’s official retailer, The M Den, released merchandise a few years back that read “Michigan vs. Everybody.” That product saw new life under the school’s newfound adversity — the Wolverines used the backlash as marketing fuel, selling over 50,000 units over the course of two months.

Of that money, a six-figure sum has gone to the athletic department directly, while $350,000 has gone to bolstering NIL efforts. (More)

Indiana is All In on NIL

Indiana hasn’t seen a return to athletic glory quite yet, but their NIL efforts are certainly setting them up for success. During a fundraising campaign to close out the year, the school’s NIL collective raised over $2M to support Hoosier athletes. 

The campaign’s success is due to a few factors. First, an anonymous donor – who was absolutely, unquestionably, for sure not leading NIL industry insider Mark Cuban – matched all  donations for the campaign, doubling the pot immediately.

Secondly, the campaign rallied around a few celebrity endorsements from former players and business leaders, including Joe Buck, Victor Oladipo, and more. (More)

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Livvy Dunne

Livvy Dunne, hailed as the Best NIL Athlete of the Year by Sports Business Journal and boasting a staggering $3.3 million valuation, is a dynamic force reshaping the sports landscape. She expanded her online presence this year, gracing ESPN's NFL "Manningcast" and featuring twice in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition.

NIL BLITZ

♦️ Opendorse reports 144% increase in brand compensation from last year

♦️ NIL Store partners up with Mississippi State collective

♦️ Adidas agrees to deal with five-star SG Darren Peterson

♦️ Is an NIL salary cap on the horizon?

♦️ Oklahoma legend Brian Bosworth alleges there’s “dark money” in NIL

♦️ Oregon State’s collective partners with Toyota

BATTER UP

Todays Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Will we eventually see college players being traded to different schools midseason?

• Yes - 62%

• No - 38%